Tennis vs. Pickleball: Similarities, Differences, and Which One Should You Play?

Published: October 28, 2025

If you’ve heard the pop of a pickleball next to the thwack of a tennis ball and wondered how these two sports compare, you’re not alone. They share a lot—nets, rallies, footwork, and strategy—yet they feel different the moment you step on court. This guide explains what’s similar, what’s different, and how to decide which one you should start with (or why playing both might be your best move).

How Tennis & Pickleball Are Like

Tennis and pickleball both reward placement, consistency, and smart decision-making. In each sport, serves start the point, volleys finish a lot of them, and angles pull opponents out of position. Communication and court awareness matter in doubles, and patience usually beats low-percentage hero shots. If you understand spacing, spin, and pattern-building in one sport, those instincts transfer nicely to the other.

How They Feel Different on Day One

Tennis is a big-court, big-toolkit experience. You’ll cover more ground and learn a wider range of strokes—topspin, slice, kick serves, drop shots, and overheads. Points often build more slowly and break open when someone creates depth or a sharp angle.

Pickleball feels more compact and immediate. The serve is underhand and gets rallies started quickly, and the “kitchen” (non-volley zone) shapes how points unfold: soft dinks, patient setups, and a well-timed speed-up when the ball sits up. Many beginners rally confidently in their first pickleball session; tennis typically takes a bit longer to click, then rewards you with deeper shot variety over time.

Equipment, Court Size, and Movement

Tennis uses a strung racquet and felt ball on a 78-foot court. The space demands longer sprints, bigger recovery steps, and more emphasis on depth and height.

Pickleball uses a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a 44-by-20-foot court. Movement is still athletic but tends to emphasize quick first steps, balance, and stability at the kitchen line. The gear and ball behavior change how you win points: tennis encourages heavy spin and height control; pickleball rewards touch, precise placement, and fast hands.

Rules and Scoring

In tennis, you serve overhand (two attempts), and scoring progresses from love to 15, 30, 40, and games that add up to sets and matches. The serve can be a true weapon.

In pickleball, you serve underhand below the waist, recreational games are typically played to 11 and won by two, and doubles strategy dominates. The kitchen rule—no volleying while standing inside that seven-foot zone—creates a distinct rhythm: work the ball softly, look for a ball that sits up, then attack. For a more detailed description about pickleball rules and scoring, read here.

Strategy: Where the Battles Are Fought

Tennis points often start with serve-plus-one patterns: place the first ball, take time away, then finish with a higher-percentage shot. You’ll see persistent use of depth, height, and spin to force errors.


Pickleball centers on kitchen control. Consistent dinks move opponents, the third-shot drop neutralizes the returner’s advantage, and an accurate speed-up punishes anything left high. Both sports get deeply tactical as your skills rise; the main difference is where most battles happen—baseline patterns in tennis, hand battles at the kitchen in pickleball.

Fitness and Impact on the Body

Tennis generally asks for more court coverage and more overhead motions, delivering a robust cardio workout and serious leg burn. Pickleball tends to be lower impact with shorter sprints and fewer overheads, emphasizing balance, core stability, and reaction time. With proper footwear, a solid warm-up, and smart recovery, both can be as gentle or as intense as you make them. You can learn more about the health benefits of playing pickleball here.

Learning Curve and Time Commitment

Pickleball is famously approachable—most players rally within minutes, making it easy to drop in for 30–60 minutes and get plenty of play. Tennis sessions often run 60–90 minutes and reward steady practice with a bigger toolbox to solve more situations. If you want quick wins and instant rallies, pickleball delivers; if you enjoy a technical journey with layers of skill, tennis will keep you hooked for years.

Which One Should You Play First?

Start with pickleball if you want immediate rallies, a social environment, and a lower-impact entry point. It’s perfect when time is tight and you still want a satisfying session.

Start with tennis if you enjoy a technical challenge, longer points, and the classic full-court experience. You’ll build endurance and a wide range of strokes that keep the game endlessly engaging.

Play both if you want the best of both worlds. Tennis sharpens endurance and ball-striking; pickleball hones touch, reflexes, and decision-making at the net. Cross-training between the two is real—skills in one noticeably help the other.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Is pickleball easier on the body? Generally, yes. The smaller court, underhand serve, and fewer overheads tend to be kinder on joints—though good shoes and warm-ups still matter.

Will tennis help my pickleball, and vice versa? Absolutely. Tennis footwork and spin translate well to pickleball, while pickleball’s touch and hand speed elevate your net game in tennis.

Which is more competitive? Both. Tennis has a deep tactical ceiling, and pickleball’s kitchen duels can be lightning-fast and highly strategic—especially in doubles.

Where to Play Tennis or Pickleball in Connecticut

Ellington Racquet Club is a locally owned, brand-new facility (opened in 2024) that offers both tennis and pickleball under one roof. You’ll find fresh courts, beginner-friendly instruction, and programming for all levels. ERC offers memberships for regular players and welcomes the public—so whether you want a full membership, a drop-in session, a clinic, or a court rental, you’re covered. Call 860-962-9641 or stop by to check current open-play times, lesson availability, and court reservations.

BONUS OFFER: Refer a friend, and when they become a member, you both get an additional free hour of court time on us.